Customer Reviews

Land Of Promise [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie deals with mechanisms behind money-making in early capitalism and it probably is more current now than it had been 27 years ago, when it was produced, as Poland and Eastern Europe is undergoing historical changes after a fall of communism. It shows a main hero, brilliantly played by Daniel Olbrychski, sacrificing his moral backbone on the way to a success at all cost. This movie is brutal and naturalistic. Has great energy and fast pace. Great acting and a beautiful soundtrack by Wojciech Kilar. It is one of the best movies by Andrzej Wajda. I wish I could have it on DVD.

This in its time would have been a reasonably big budget film for Poland. It is about the establishment of the textile industry at the turn of the century. A number of young men pool their rescources and decide to build a mill. Unfortunately it burns down and it is not insured. One of the men has to do the unthinkable, yes he has to have sex with a jewish woman to get more money.

In fact the portrayal of Jewish people is obnoxious. One scene shows a Jewish club and it is straight out of a Nazi propoganda film.

If it wasn't for this the film has a certain amount of vigour and the actors put in strong performances.